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Post-Aristotelians

This exploration delves into ancient philosophies that emerged after the defeat of Athens, highlighting skepticism, cynicism, epicureanism, stoicism, and neoplatonism as responses to human well-being. The Skeptics, led by Pyrrho of Elis, emphasized the suspension of judgment. The Cynics championed simplicity and natural living. Epicurus advocated for moderated pleasures for long-term happiness, while Stoicism taught acceptance of the divine plan. Neoplatonism, with figures like Plotinus, focused on transcendent knowledge beyond the physical world. Together, these philosophies illuminate diverse paths to understanding the good life.

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Post-Aristotelians

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  1. Post-Aristotelians

  2. After defeat of Athens… a period of pessimism and concern with everyday well-being • The Skeptics • Pyrrho of Elis (ca 365-275 BC) considered founder, although there are no surviving writings • much in common with sophists • attack on dogmatism (claim of irrefutable truth); argued for suspension of judgment, since all claims of truth seem equivocal. • No point, therefore, for moral agonizing; well-being is doing whatever is convenient at the time- seek life of “quietude” • Two primary guides for living: • appearances: simple sensations and feelings • convention: customs, traditions, laws of society

  3. The Cynics (Antisthenes and Diogenes) • well-being is found in a life of self-denial, simplicity, removal from society. Happiness comes from acting naturally. Similar to some modern religious communes. • Epicureanism (Epicurus of Samos) • the goal of life is individual happiness… long-term happiness requires moderation and striving for tranquility • well-being is found in freedom, simplicity, pursuit of moderate pleasure and avoidance of pain; avoid extremes. Everything in moderation. • Hedonism… but only that which results from having basic needs satisfied

  4. Stoicism (Zeno , Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius) • Stoa = porch at Zeno’s school) • world governed by a divine plan and we are all here for a reason.. There are no accidents; everything happens for a reason • thus, we should live in accordance with nature; man is part of a greater scheme • well-being founded on rationality, objectivity, and acceptance. Emotional reactions are unjustified. Each person is part of a greater natural scheme and each person should play their part as well as possible. Humility and acceptance. • In Roman Empire, Stoicism was compatible with Roman emphasis on law and order… popular philosophy. With the decline of Empire, people looked for other definitions of “the good life”.

  5. Neoplatonism • Philo (25BC-50AD), Plotinus (204-270 AD), Hypatia (370-415) • As for Plato, truth and reality are not material • Replaced Plato’s forms with divine explanations: God is the source of all truth and knowledge. Knowledge comes from divine revelation. • Spiritual world is more perfect than the physical world. • Through intense meditation, soul can be released from the body and live among the eternal and changeless • Elements of this philosophy were adopted by Christianity

  6. So….. • Stoicism: live a life of accepting things as they are • Epicurianism: seek pleasure, but in moderation • Neoplatonism: turn away from empirical world in order to enter a union of eternal things beyond the material world • Galen (131-301 AD) • Roman physician • Proposed that there are physical causes for emotional states and mental illness • Imbalance of humors • Recommended counseling for emotional problems

  7. From Rome to the Renaissance • Long period of stability • In western world, dominated by Christianity • Roman church: man is inherently sinful and salvation is possible through repentance/faith • Mind-body dualism • Subordination of all knowledge to the revealed word of God • Perfection found in another world

  8. St. Augustine (354-430) • North African • Confessions acknowledge wild life as a young man and later conversion. • Focus on spiritual world • Shifted beliefs about human motivation from external to internal causes. • Action based on free will. • Thus, guilt, responsibility, sin, salvation become possible • However, observations about causes of behavior become impossible.

  9. St. Augustin (cont) • Reason/observation subordinated to faith, emotion, and introspection of subjective states. • Writings touchd on infant motivation (asocial, self-seeking), reward and punishment, memory, dreams

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